I've said this before, but I love reading through these trips. Fantastic photos.

The pictures from the visit at Alembic are fantastic- Lots of stuff there that I've never seen before. Seems like there are a lot of 'wood' pictures floating around, but not much in terms of the electronics side. Very cool to see all those.

John, I absolutely love when you post your trip pictures and descriptions. As some of the members of your riding site stated, I felt as though I was on the trip with you. I need to hit the lottery, take a year off, and travel all over this amazing landscape!

A pioneer amongst us. an amazing trip and great photos, I left my leather boots outside my tent one night in Colorado and one was carried off by a coyotye Game warden told me they love to chew on them.

Thanks, guys. I am amazed and humbled at the hospitality shown by our family at Alembic. Turns out I'm pretty sure Ron and my father have worked together in broadcasting in the distant past, and when I get the chance I'll ask Dad about it. Small world. Amazing how interconnected our lives are, and of course the bike trip itself highlights this. The fellow who hosted the rally in Oregon grew up across town from me, in a house I've been in, but we didn't know each other until now. Others I know through friends in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. And of course, it's impossible to not meet and make new friends along the way..

Some of us were talking about coyotes and their love of motorcycle boots at the rally. Makes sense, and I guess I was lucky or my boots just smelled too bad..

I hope Ron, Susan and Mica have time to scan through it as well, and that they approve of what and how I've posted the Alembic bits..

WOW John, that looked like a really cool trip. Great shots and commentary. Loved the Alembic factory tour shots. That place looks amazing.

We did our first adventure out west this year - Tennessee to New Mexico with 14 of us from our Scout Troop. We went to Philmont and backpacked about 60 miles or so - I have about 1000 pics and need to do a write up. Too much cool stuff not to share.

J o e y, the verdict is still out. I think the Yamaha Super Tenere or BMW F800GS are the answer, but they aren't cheap. The Wee-Strom ate up the asphalt and was an absolute blast to ride everywhere that wasn't deep-ish sand, rocks or whoops. The KLR would have made me crazy across the Great Plains and would have struggled with the high passes. It would have been about perfect for the Bend area though. *sigh* So many choices.. ;-)

Stephen, I have a friend who works Philmont in the Summers. From all I gather, it is truly a special place. Post a link to your write-up when you get the pics sorted. I'd love to see it.

Pauldo, thanks! We need to compare notes at the next Chicago gathering. See you in May!

John, you are my new hero! I got rid of my dual sport this year & now just ride my Harleys. I would love to do a cross country trip like this on a road worthy dual sport, mine was a WR250R Yamaha & geared more towards dirt than street. You are a man after my own heart in many ways, you ride bikes, hit close to 100mph every day, play an Alembic, & have toured the Mothership! You got some amazing pictures, thanks for posting! I toured the factory in June, but didn't get to see the electronics room, so this was way cool seeing your pictures of it! If you ever do a trip to Texas, look me up & I'll meet you on the road!

Rusty, I've done a few trips to Big Bend and love it there. Hope to drag the family down there someday soon before it gets civilized! They're building a new border crossing that's supposed to be done in April I think. I'd love to be able to walk across into Boquillas for lunch, which is definitely on my list. Life's too short, and I'm going to live as much of it as I can while I'm able.

Hey John, Just got home from vacation and saw your moto journal. Very nice! Thanks for sharing. I have been to some of those places, and on a bike, as well. But the non-paved sections were all new to me as I stay on pavement. Hmmm, maybe it's time for an adventure bike.... I like those V-Stroms alot. I was off to the annual meeting of the Fur Peace Motorcycle Club, our 10th annual. I chose the Buell and Sheila chose her Ninja; they fit in the back of the truck better than our bigger bikes. Yes, we had to haul them for various practical reasons, but the riding in Southern Ohio was outstanding, and those were the right bikes for the purpose. I'm on my last day of vacation, back at home, and your story has made me decide to spend the day riding. Shiny side up! Ben

I used to think poorly of hauling bikes, but recognize that there are indeed times when it's the most logical thing to do. My *plan* had been to haul a small bike out there, but it would have cost twice as much in fuel and I wouldn't have gotten to ride almost 6k miles on some very very sweet roads (but I could have slept inside the Jeep every night and would have stayed dry and warm, for better or for worse). Maybe I'm just fickle, but it seems every bike I get one (with only a couple of exceptions) is my new favorite. Two wheels is two wheels! :D

The BMW Rallye Pro 3 suit is one very nice piece of kit. I'd like to get a look at the Klim Adventure Touring suit, but it's like two grand or something. Of course, the Roadcrafter is pretty much the standard against which all others are judged (and for less money). So much nice stuff, yet so few dollars in the bank account!